Barley & Burger has abruptly closed its Raleigh location on Hillsborough Street after just three months in business. The burger joint, which took over the historic space formerly occupied by David's Dumplings and Daryl's restaurant, handed back the keys to landlord Tommy Carter this week. A For Rent sign now hangs in the window where the restaurant had only opened in late November.

The closure marks another short-lived venture in one of Raleigh's most storied restaurant blocks. The space had housed David's Dumplings for 15 years before Barley & Burger moved in. Founded in Rocky Mount by Brandon Clarke, Travis Ellis, and novelist Etaf Rum, the chain also operates locations in Smithfield and Charlotte, plus a previous outpost in Selma's Old North State Food Hall.

While the owners did not respond to requests for comment, the rapid closure highlights the challenges facing new restaurants in competitive markets. The historic block remains home to Players Retreat, a 75-year-old sports bar known for its popular burgers, underscoring the difficulty Barley & Burger faced in establishing itself in this established dining corridor.